Letters: Clarke is wrong about the cross

Lloyd Clarke is quoted as saying, "It's still a Christian cross, and they belong in churches and cemeteries."

He couldn't be more wrong. The cross of Christ belongs in our hearts and homes, where its power can be at work to make us loyal, loving Christian citizens of this great nation. Its role in the history of this nation cannot be ignored or erased just because some do not want to acknowledge it.

Clarke is certainly in the minority on this subject. A hallmark of our democracy pertains to the rights of minorities -- but not at the expense of the majority. We ought not let the opinion of a small minority thwart the will of the vast majority.

I urge Frankenmuth citizens and city fathers to actively oppose any attempts to remove the cross from our city shield.

At the same time, I urge all of us to set aside feelings of anger and to be loving in our approach to Clarke and any others who might attempt to impose their will on us.

Let's take advantage of this opportunity to witness to the love of the one who bore the pain of the cross for each of us.

The Rev. Mark Brandt
Frankenmuth

Shame on Clarke

Editor, The News:

Lloyd C. Clarke has declared that a "cross" is meant only for cemeteries and churches and suggests that it implies a constitutional breach of our forefathers with regards to the separation of church and state.

A cross has been adopted as a civic symbol and does not reflect a religion-specific endorsement. Crosses are used in many applications throughout the United States and the world for that matter. These uses are endorsed and supported by the U.S. government such as the American Red Cross. Should a lawsuit be issued because tax dollars help support such organizations? Arlington National Cemetery with its crosses?

A cross has different meanings to different people. That does not mean it is tied to a religious endorsement. What is amazing to me is why Clarke would locate himself in a small community that takes pride in its heritage. The town was founded by missionary Lutherans from Germany.

I see Clarke's complaint as harassment to me as a community member who takes comfort in knowing my forefathers felt strong in their faith to come to this country and settle such a wonderful community.

It also is disappointing that Frankenmuth City Manager Charles Graham would even consider "pacifying" Clarke, and I would hope that he already would see that appeasement is never an option with extremists.

I take additional comfort in knowing that many prime spots in the community are privately owned and the owners display manger scenes and crosses and Christmas trees.

Shame on Clarke to move to this community and wage an attack on me and his neighbors to suit his personal political agenda.

Laurie Lambeth
Birch Run Township

Help save our planet

Editor, The News:

It's not about changing light bulbs anymore.

When Al Gore's and Leonardo DiCaprio's dramatic documentaries alerted us to the devastating impacts of global warming, many people went through the ritual of switching from incandescent light bulbs to the compact fluorescent variety.

Unfortunately, in the case of global warming, good intentions and switching light bulbs are not good enough.

The most powerful individual lifestyle solution was suggested in a 2006 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The report found that meat production accounts for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. That's more than automobiles.

Carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, is emitted by burning forests to create animal pastures and by combustion of fossil fuels to operate farm machinery, trucks, refrigeration equipment, factory farms and slaughterhouses. Much more damaging methane and nitrous oxide are released from digestive tracts of cattle and from animal waste cesspools.

Moreover, animal agriculture contributes more pollutants to our waterways than all other human activities combined. Principal sources are animal wastes, soil particles, minerals, crop debris, fertilizers and pesticides from feed croplands. It is also the driving force in world-wide deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction.

The annual observance of Earth Day on Tuesday provided an excellent opportunity for every one of us to help save our planet by dropping animal products from our diet.